BRAZILIAN NATIONAL DEFENSE POLICY

BRAZILIAN NATIONAL
DEFENSE POLICY

PRESIDÊNCIA DA REPÚBLICA
Governo Fernando Henrique Cardoso

Brasília - 1998

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

2. THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION

3. OBJECTIVES

4. STRATEGIC GUIDANCE

5. DIRECTIVES

PRESIDÊNCIA DA REPÚBLICA
Secretaria de Comunicação Social

Apoio Institucional
Casa Civil da Presidência da República

SECOM Publicações

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BRAZILIAN NATIONAL
DEFENSE POLICY
1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In the new international scene, full of challenges and opportunities, it is necessary to
promote the development, in Brazil, of its own modes of flexible and creative strategic
thinking, capable of meeting the defense needs of the country.

1.2 The transformations that have occurred both domestically, as well as in the regional
and global contexts, make it necessary and timely to formally issue a national defense
policy, established at the highest level of the Government, which refletcs the aspirations
of society and serves as a reference point for the strategies arising out of that policy.

1.3 The National Defense Policy, which is aimed at threats from abroad, has as its
primary purpose to establish the objectives for the defense of the Nation’s capabilities at
every level and in every sphere of power, with the involvment of the military and civilian
sectors.

1.4 The National Defense Policy, a topic of interest to Brazilian society as a whole, is
premised on the fundamental principles and objectives stipulated in the Federal
Constitution, and is in harmony with the country’s international posture, which is based
on seeking peaceful solutions to disputes and strengthening international peace and
security.

1.5 The dimensions of Brazil – simultaneously continental and maritime; equatorial,

tropical and subtropical; sharing extensive land borders with almost all the countries in
South America, as well as lengthy coasts; an exclusive economic zone and a continental
shelf – endow the Nation with a geostrategic depth and complicates the task of overall
defense planning. Brazil’s broad demographic and territorial characteristics, as well as
the availability of natural resources, set firmly upon its diversified physical geography,
generate a variety of scenarios that call for a comprehensive and integrated policy, along
with a specific approach for each instance.

1.6 The implementation of a sustainable defense policy, with the aim of gradually
modernizing self-defense capabilities, will depend upon the construction of a
development model that strengthens democracy, reduces both social inequalities and
regional imbalances, and establishes priorities in the political, social and economic and
military sectors compatible with defense and foreign policy requirements.

1.7 In the process, defense needs should be adjusted to match the availability of
resources, by means of the approval of funds by the National Congress and, whenever
possible, with the involvment of the country’s academic, scientific, technological and
industrial sectors.

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2. THE INTERNATIONAL
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SITUATION

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BRAZILIAN NATIONAL
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2. THE INTERNATIONAL SITUATION

2.1 With the end of the East – West confrontation, in the current process of
rearrangement of forces, an uncertain and unstable multipolar international scenario has
emerged, engendered by the lack of correlation among the centers of strategic, military,
political and economic power, the future evolution of which remains difficult to predict.

2.2 The end of the Cold War has rendered obsolete the simplistic generalization arising
out of the ideologically and militarily bipolar system which had prevailed until then.
Currently, despite the reduction in the risks of a worldwide nuclear confrontation, a
certain degree of strategic predictability is no longer feasible.

2.3 Local conflicts, which are now occurring on almost every continent, the resurgence of
ethnic, nationalist and religious extremism, as well as the phenomenon of fragmention
which is now seen in many countries, make it clear that the traditional concepts such as
sovereignty, self-determination and national identity continue to be important.

2.4 During this transitional phase, as new rules of political and economic coexistence
between nations are being established, characterized by the absence of clear paradigms
and by the growing participation of non-governmental actors, Brazil strives to establish
its strategic role and its priorities in the area of defense, free from any ideological model.

2.5 The panorama of uncertainties that characterizes the current global situation
mandates that the defense continues to require diligence by national governments, and,
also, that the aspect of military power continues to be of utmost importance to the
survival of nation-states as independent entities. It is not realistic to imagine a nation-
state of reasonable size and international influence that could forgo having a dependable
defense force. The armed forces constitute an instrument for the exercise of the right to
self-defense, a right, moreover, which is enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

2.6 South America, far from the focal points of global tension, is considered to be the
most demilitarized region in the world. The re-democratization that has taken place in the
Americas has tended to reduce the likelihood of conflicts. Regional disputes have been
managed at tolerable levels.

2.7 For Brazil, a country of different regions and a diversified profile – belonging
simultaneously to the Amazon, Atlantic, Southern Cone, and Plata river basin –, the
notion of regional space extends beyond the continental landmass of South America,
also including the South Atlantic.

2.8 Thus, when examining the strategic prospects for the region, it is important to recall

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that the mosaic of countries and sub-regions which constitute it is extremely complex,
demanding a multifaceted regional role, based on a policy of harmonization of interests.

2.9 Brazil has not been involved in a conflict with any of its neighbours for over a
century, and it has worked to promote greater integration and closer relations among the
nations in the Americas and, consequently, has gained international credibility.

2.10 The strengthening of the integration process provided by Mercosur, the increasingly
close relations with our neighbours in the Amazon region – developed within the scope
of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty – the increased cooperation with the Portuguese-
speaking African countries and the consolidation of the South Atlantic Zone of Peace
and Cooperation – the result of a positive and concrete diplomatic action – have formed
a veritable ring of peace around the country, making it possible to concentrate efforts to
achieve a national strategy for development and for overcoming social inequalities.

2.11 The country is not, however, totally free from risks. Despite its peaceful coexistence
in the international community, it may be forced to become involved in conflicts
originating elsewhere, due to threats to Brazil’s national heritage or vital interests.

2.12 In the regional framework, there continues to be zones of instability that can
threathen Brazilian interests. The actions of armed groups that are active in
neighbouring countries, on the edge of the Brazilian Amazon, as well as international
organized crime, are amongst the points that cause concern.

2.13 Military capabilities and diplomacy are manifestations of national sovereignty and
dignity, and Brazil has demonstrated in a clear and consistent manner its determination
to live in peace and harmony in accordance with the principles and norms of
international law, fully respecting the commitments it has taken on.

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3. OBJECTIVES

3.1 From an examination of the circumstances described above emerges the need to
devise specific strategic priorities arising out of the national interest and fundamental
national defense objectives.

3.2 Despite the favorable state of affairs in Brazil’s immediate environs, a defense
system adequate to safeguard the Nations’s sovereignty, democracy and the rule of law
should be maintained. That is the purpose of formulating a National Defense Policy, with
resources to implement it, that integrates the strategic aims in the social, economic,
military and diplomatic spheres, and which can count on endorsement by the Nation.

3.3 The National Defense objectives are:

a) to guarantee sovereingty while preserving the Nation’s territorial

integrity, heritage and interests;

b) to guarantee the rule of law and the democratic institutions;

c) to maintain the Nation’s cohesion and unity;

d) to protect individuals, goods, resources that are Brazilian, or under

Brazilian jurisdiction;

e) to achieve and maintain Brazilian interests abroad;

f) to give Brazil a significant role in international affairs and a greater role in

the international decision-making process; and

g) to contribute to the maintainance of international peace and security.

4. STRATEGIC
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GUIDANCE

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BRAZILIAN NATIONAL
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4. STRATEGIC GUIDANCE

4.1 The scope of Brazil’s actions in the area of defense is based on the obligation to
provide security for the Nation, both during peacetime and in a situation of conflict.

4.2 With this in view, the National Defense Policy is built around an active diplomacy
devoted to peace, as well as a deterrent strategic posture, defensive in nature, based on
the following principles:

● borders and boundaries that are precisely defined and internationally recognized;
● close relationships, based on mutual respect and trust, with neighbouring
countries and with the international community in general;
● rejection of war of conquest; and
● peaceful resolution of disputes, with resort to the use of force only for self-
defense.

4.3 The preventive aspect of Brazilian defense rests both on the high value given to
diplomatic actions as the first tool to resolve disputes and also on the existence of a
sound military structure that is capable of being effectively deterrent.

4.4 The defensive nature of the National Defense Policy does not imply that, in the event
of conflict, the Armed Forces would have to be strictly limited to conducting defensive
operations. In the context of a broader defense plan, and for the purpose of repelling a
possible armed attack, Brazil will employ all the necessary military power, with the aim of
concluding the conflict in the shortest possible time and with the minimum possible
damage to the national interests and integrity and imposing favorable conditions for the
re-establishment of peace.

4.5 It is essential to strengthen, in a balanced manner, the national capabilities in the

area of defense, with the involvment of the industrial, university, scientific and technical
sectors. Scientific and technological development is fundamental for the Armed Forces
to attain greater strategic autonomy and better operational capabilities.

4.6 Military power should be based upon the capabilities of the Armed Forces and on the
potential of national resources and the ready reserves, with the purpose of preventing
any possible intent to defy the rules of peaceful coexistence between nations. The
Armed Forces must be well-suited to the political and strategic nature of the Nation and
structured, in a flexible and versatile manner, to take action promptly and effectively in
different areas and scenarios.

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4.7 The Armed Forces, whose mission is assigned by the Constitution, have the duty of
defending the Nation, whenever necessary, ensuring the maintainance of its territorial
integrity and sovereignty. Toward that end, it is essential to persevere in continuously
improving the integration of the Armed Forces, in both their preparedness and
employment, as well as in the rationalization of the related activities.

Publicações CONTENTS 5. DIRECTIVES

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5. DIRECTIVES

5.1 In order to accomplish the objectives of the National Defense Policy, the following
directives shall be followed:

a) contribute actively to the construction of an international order based on

the rule of law, which provides regional and worldwide peace, as well as
the sustainable development of humanity;

b) participate increasingly in the significant international decision-making

processes;

c) improve and increase Brazil’s negotiating capabilities in the international

scene;

d) promote the Brazilian position in favor of global disarmament,

contingent upon the dismantling of stockpiles of nuclear weapons, and
other weapons of mass destruction, through a process agreed to
multilaterally;

e) participate in the international peacekeeping operations, in accordance

with national interests;

f) contribute actively to the strengthening, expansion and consolidation of

regional integration;

g) take actions to maintain a climate of peace and cooperation along all of

Brazil’s border’s and to foster solidarity within Latin America and in the
South Atlantic region;

h) expand exchange programs with the Armed Forces of friendly nations;

i) maintain the participation of the Armed Forces in support activities with

the aim of national integration, civil defense and the social and economic
development of Brazil, in harmony with their constitutional mission;

j) protect the Brazilian Amazon, with the support of the Brazilian society
and through recognizing the importance of the military presence in the
region;

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k) give priority to actions for the development and reinvigoration of the strip
of land along Brazil’s borders, especially in the northern and central
western regions.

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